A FURIOUS grandfather has criticised Bradford Council for imposing a parking fine after he was late back to his car when his granddaughter fell ill.

Bob Harrison, 61, received a parking fine after returning 15 minutes late to the car park in Primrose Lane, Bingley.

His two-year-old granddaughter, Eleanor Waters, had become sick as they walked along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath to Roberts Park, Saltaire, and back.

On their return, a Bradford Council parking warden slapped Mr Harrison’s vehicle with a £50 parking ticket.

But Mr Harrison said that, after he explained his plight, the warden was sympathetic to his situation and took photographs to support any future fine appeal.

Mr Harrison then appealed the parking fine and was told by Bradford Council that, despite sympathising with his situation, he did not have sufficient grounds to appeal and the fine would stand.

He said he was then forced to pay the fine, which was reduced to £25 for paying it within 14 days of the council’s decision letter.

A Bradford Council spokesman said it was standard procedure for its wardens to explain the appeals process and, as Mr Harrison had accepted liability, the fine would stand.

The car park had a two-hour parking restriction on weekdays between 10am and 4pm.

Retired Mr Harrison, of Glen Road, Eldwick, said: “I feel irate and disgusted.

“It’s not about the £25 fine, it’s about the principle.

“The council warden was very, very apologetic. He suggested I appealed it to the council and they would rescind it.

“If I didn’t have a genuine appeal, why would the parking warden take photographs of me and my granddaughter? My appeal fell on deaf ears.

“What chance do other people have of appealing in genuine cases if they won’t believe me when my situation was witnessed, verified, reported, photographed and supported by their own warden at the time?

“This didn’t alter the validity of my appeal. If a sick child witnessed and supported by the warden isn’t legitimate grounds for an appeal, then I don’t know what is.

“I was late because I had to tend to my sick granddaughter. That made me five minutes late.”

The incident took place on Wednesday, September 21.

A Bradford Council Parking Services spokesman said: “After receiving information from Mr Harrison which proved he was away on holiday when the discounted rate period to pay the fine expired, we agreed to reset this period.

“He then paid the fine at the discounted rate of £25 on 28 October 2016.

“It is standard procedure for parking wardens to explain to motorists the appeals process and take photos of vehicles as evidence when issuing a PCN.

“Mr Harrison did have the option to appeal against his fine to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal and this was stated in his original appeal rejection letter.

“However, he chose to pay the fine, rather than do this, which means he has accepted liability.”

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